AJ v Kelly

AJ Burnett (7-9, 3.09) opens the final regular season series against the Cards and Joe Kelly (7-9, 3.09). Burnett tossed seven innings of one run ball against the Cardinals on Saturday, and Kelly stifled the Bucs on one run on Sunday. He's become their closet ace, having won his last seven decisions. Should be a lot of fine twirling and hurling tonight.

The game starts at 8:15 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Pirate lineup: Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Justin Morneau 1B, Marlon Byrd RF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Russ Martin C, Clint Barmes SS and AJ Burnett P.

Pedro is going to become a permanent fixture at #6, JT and Clint start, Jones remains buried.

Card lineup: Matt Carpenter 2B, Jon Jay CF, Matt Holliday LF, Carlos Beltran RF, Yadier Molina C, Matt Adams 1B, David Freese 3B, Daniel Descalso SS and Joe Kelly P.

• Cincy scored in six straight frames to whip the Cards 6-2 last night; they even got Zach Duke to come on to get a big DP from the pen. Going into today, the Bucs are 1-1/2 up on St. Louis and three games ahead of the Reds.
• Jake Westbrook returned from the DL today for the Cards, but Allen Craig is in a boot after spraining his foot and won't be available.
• Pittsburgh begins a stretch of 20 straight games, a day off, and the final three game series of the year against the Reds at GABP.
• The Bucs look like they're headed to their #2 attendance season in 2013, falling short of the 2001 opening year benchmark of PNC Park when they drew 2.4M fans.